Summary:

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is seeking innovative state, local government, and Indian tribe programs funded under the Recovery Act. This FOA will use up to $453.72 million in Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds for competitive grants awarded in two topic areas:

Topic 1, the Retrofit Ramp-up Program, provides up to $390.04 million for programs of $5 to $75 million for 8 to 20 awards.

Topic 2, the General Innovation Fund, is for competitive grants that are reserved for units of local government and state-recognized tribes not eligible for direct formula grants, as per the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requirements. Topic 2 provides up to $63.68 million (approximately 2% of $3.2 billion) for projects of $1 to $5 million for 15 to 60 awards.

The goal of this competitive FOA is to stimulate activities that move beyond traditional public awareness campaigns, program maintenance, demonstration projects, and other one-time strategies and projects. DOE seeks to stimulate activities and investments which can fundamentally and permanently transform energy markets in a way that make energy efficiency and renewable energy the options of first choice; and sustain themselves beyond the grant monies and the grant period by designing a viable strategy for program sustainability into the overall program plan.